Ryo Aono and Queralt Castellet Win Halfpipe Finals at the 2012 Burton Canadian Open

The 4th Annual2012 Burton Canadian Open presented by MINI (CANO) ended the week with Ryo Aono (JPN) and Queralt Castellet (ESP) winning the exciting halfpipe competition. The halfpipe finale took place this evening under the lights of WinSport Canada’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta.

Queralt’s winning night was filled with firsts, “I am very excited to win tonight as this was my first time at the Canadian Open, my first time landing a Frontside 1080 and my first time winning at an Open,” said Queralt. “I feel really really good tonight.”

Queralt came out strong from thestart with a Frontside 900, Backside 540 Mute, Frontside 540, Backside Air and Frontside 1080. US women dominated the rest of the podium with Gretchen Bleiler (USA) taking second with an impressive run that included a Crippler, Backside 540 Mute, Frontside 720 Tail, Cab 720 Indy and Frontside Tail. Following close behind was Ellery Hollingsworth (USA) with a Michealchuck, Frontside Stalefish, Backside 540 Mute, Frontside 720 and Cab 900.

Ryo Aono’s first place run proved that he is a force to be reckoned with as he took top podium at the New Zealand Open back in August, “I am so very happy right now to have won,” said Ryo. “I have been to Calgary before but this is my first Open here. It was great with so many people watching and giving off good vibes.”

All riders who competed in the Canadian Open halfpipe competition earned points towards both the TTR Halfpipe World Tour Ranking list and the TTR Overall World Tour Ranking list. With their wins tonight, Ryo Aono has advanced to World No. 1 in the TTR Halfpipe Tour Ranking for the men and Queralt Castellet has moved into World No. 1 in the Halfpipe Tour Ranking for the women.

Once again in the 2011-2012 season, MINI will be throwing down some serious cash and prizes to the most creative riders in the Burton Global Open Series. The CANO saw two halfpipe riders get incredibly creative during the finale. Janne Korpi took his trick to the next level winning the Creative Use of Space Award (CUOS) with an Alley Oop Backside Rodeo 540 Nose. For the women, Sarah Conrad (CAN) was awardedthe CUOS with a Switch Alley Oop 720.

A live webcast of the halfpipe finale was hosted on redbull.tv tonight. For those that missed it, the highlights of winning runs and full webcasts will be available for on-demand viewing after the event at www.redbull.com/snowboarding-live